Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Chapter 447: Chapter 244: Counterattack (2)

KNOCK KNOCK...

A knock came from outside. Xu Yang casually closed his panel and opened the door to see Xu Qing rush in, her face flushed with excitement. In a voice barely audible, she said, "I’ve broken through to Marrow Cleansing!"

To break through to Marrow Cleansing at this time made Xu Qing the absolute first among her class of Dragon Ascending Disciples. In two more months, it would have been two full years since she joined the Purple Sun Sect.

Her face was crimson with excitement. The moment she broke through, she had rushed up to Li Fire Peak to tell Xu Yang the news.

She had once thought it would be impossible for her to ever break through to Marrow Cleansing, yet she had actually managed it in less than two years.

Of course, this wasn’t due to her own talent, but mainly because of the three Eight Treasure Lotus Seeds Xu Yang had given her. Without them, even with a constant supply of resources from Xu Yang, she might not have reached Marrow Cleansing even in another two years.

"Impressive!" Xu Yang gave her a thumbs-up.

’This little girl’s talent is average, but her strengths are her diligence and obedience. She does whatever I tell her. After her Root Bone was improved, it only took her two months to break through the Marrow Cleansing bottleneck. Not bad at all.’

"Well, whose sister do you think I am?" Xu Qing said smugly.

Xu Yang nodded. "Remember to keep a low profile. Your brother has quite a few enemies. If they find out you’ve reached Marrow Cleansing this quickly, I’m afraid you’ll attract their attention."

The siblings chatted for a while before Xu Yang took her down from Li Fire Peak for a nice meal at a tavern, after which they went their separate ways.

The next day, after finishing his morning training, Xu Yang arrived at the dining hall and heard a piece of news: Tianfeng Valley would be opening again in seven days.

A smile couldn’t help but touch his lips. ’As the fifth-ranked genius on the Ten Heroes List, I get to cultivate in Tianfeng Valley for two months free of charge every year. If I combine the effects of the valley with the Dragon Tiger Great Golden Pill, I’ll be able to break through to the Celestial Essence realm much sooner.’

"I heard Zhang Yong broke through to Marrow Cleansing in Tianfeng Valley. I’ll finally get to see this magical place for myself."

Beside him, Sun Tao was getting excited. As a new disciple, he also had cultivation time that didn’t require contribution points.

"Xu Yang!"

A voice called out. Xu Yang looked up and saw Xiong Kun. He and Lu Ren, carrying trays of food, sat down at his and Sun Tao’s table. Xiong Kun was beaming, looking utterly triumphant.

Without even needing to sense it, Xu Yang knew Xiong Kun must have reached Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement. The signs of a recent breakthrough were too obvious; he wasn’t concealing it in the slightest, as if afraid people wouldn’t know he’d advanced.

"I’ve already reached Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement. If you don’t break through soon, you might get kicked off the Ten Heroes List in a few months," he reminded him.

In three months, the Ten Heroes List would be re-ranked. Those not on the list could challenge those on it, taking their place if they won.

Members of the Ten Heroes List could also challenge those ranked higher to compete for their positions.

’Now that I’ve also reached Marrow Cleansing Minor Achievement, I’m at the same realm as Xu Yang. I’m confident I can crush him.’

"There are still three months to go. What’s your hurry?" Sun Tao said with a smile.

’Even people like Li Chuyang and Jiang Fan have reached Marrow Cleansing Great Success. Xu Yang is even more amazing than them; he must have reached Great Success by now too.’

"What’s my hurry? The struggles between geniuses are not for a mediocrity like you to understand," Xiong Kun said, glancing at Sun Tao with disdain.

’He’s just some guy who got shit-lucky, took a Spirit Medicine, and broke through to Marrow Cleansing. He couldn’t possibly understand the affairs of us geniuses.’

"Lu Ren used to say things like that all the time," Sun Tao said with a chuckle.

Lu Ren: "..."

’What does this have to do with me?’

Xu Yang just focused on his food, ignoring Xiong Kun. ’This guy will probably make it onto the Ten Heroes List this year. After all, I already took care of Yan Guiyun, so there’s an empty spot.’

Over the next few days, the most discussed topic was Tianfeng Valley. Xu Yang noticed that many disciples who had been away from the Sect were gradually returning, waiting for the valley to open.

Soon, the day Tianfeng Valley was set to open arrived. Unlike last year, there were no unexpected problems.

In the morning, he and Sun Tao headed for Tianfeng Valley together. They encountered many disciples from Li Fire Peak along the way, and the group grew.

When they reached Tianfeng Valley, a large crowd had already gathered. Xu Yang saw many familiar faces. Jiang Fan, who hadn’t been seen in a long time, had also appeared and was standing with Jiang Yan.

Xu Yang gave the two a slight nod before walking toward Zhang Yong with Sun Tao.

At the same time, many eyes turned toward Xu Yang. Among the top eight on the Ten Heroes List, he was now the only one who had not publicly announced whether he had reached Marrow Cleansing Great Success.

Xu Yang!

’Is he a true genius, or did he just get shit-lucky and stumble onto the Ten Heroes List?’

"I hear you’ve become quite the celebrity in the Purple Sun Sect lately. Has the Sect truly run out of people? How could someone like you become fifth on the Ten Heroes List?"

Li Chuyang strode over with his two subordinates, a mocking expression on his face.

After Tianfeng Valley closed last year, he had been sent to the Law Enforcement Hall for confinement. Who would have thought that when he got out three months later, the news he’d hear was that Xu Yang had become fifth on the Ten Heroes List.

’This mud-legged peasant actually managed to get onto the same list as me again.’

An uproar swept through the crowd.

His words caused an immediate commotion. Everyone’s gaze shifted between Li Chuyang and Xu Yang. Just as expected, Li Chuyang had shown up and started trouble with Xu Yang, just like last year.

Jiang Fan’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t expected Li Chuyang to still be making trouble for Xu Yang, even with them standing apart.

Xu Yang smiled. "You’re right, there really isn’t anyone left. Otherwise, how could an arrogant piece of trash like you possibly be second on the Ten Heroes List?"

’Li Chuyang clearly still holds a grudge against me for what happened last year. If that’s the case, there’s no reason to hold back.’

"Sharp-tongued, aren’t we? Do you really think becoming fifth on the Ten Heroes List makes us the same kind of people? That it puts you on my level?" Li Chuyang’s expression darkened.

’I can’t believe Xu Yang dared to talk back, to criticize me for being arrogant. The one thing I can’t stand is people saying that about me.’

"Xu Yang, watch out!" Jiang Fan shouted from a distance.

’I know Li Chuyang too well. He’s arrogant, conceited, and looks down on everyone, acting like he’s superior. He’s a typical representative of the Noble Families, looking down on disciples from the Lower Class the most.’

’Xu Yang called Li Chuyang an arrogant piece of trash. Given Li Chuyang’s wild personality, he definitely won’t hold back, even if he was punished with confinement for it last year.’

’For someone of Li Chuyang’s status, confinement is nothing more than a secluded cultivation session. He doesn’t lack resources, so he doesn’t have to worry about confinement affecting his ability to do missions and earn contribution points. That’s why he can act so recklessly.’